198 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



his lectures, to astonish the Bostonians ; and I should sup 

 pose the prestige of his name and his European reputation 

 will insure him a flattering reception. I should like to 



have accompanied him. He goes first to Canada 



I understand Mr. Lowell was very anxious to induce Fara 

 day to come over and lecture on Chemistry. But poor 

 Faraday, like several of our best men, has overworked 



himself, and is obliged to lay by altogether There 



is a hauteur or reserve about Mr. Lyell to strangers, that 

 prevents his being so popular among our society as he de 

 serves to be. I believe him to have an excellent heart, and 

 he is very kind and affectionate r when his better feelings 

 are called upon. I have had some reason to complain on 

 points relating to authorship, but that perhaps is mere 

 weakness of human nature. I am very much attached to 

 him. I have only to regret that he has not that warmth of 

 feeling which I hoped to find in him, and which would have 



rendered him an invaluable friend to me Perhaps 



we Southrons are of more excitable stuff than the North 

 erners. 



TO DR. MANTELL. 



NEW HAVEN, September 25, 1841. 



OUR house is a mile and a half from the depot, 



and the whole distance is through the streets of the town. 

 By and by Mr. Lyell says, after riding a mile, are you 

 carrying us to the Tontine ? " No, to another house where, 

 although your entertainment may not be as luxurious, your 

 welcome will be quite as hearty ! Mrs. Silliman and my 

 daughter present their respects to Mrs. Lyell, and invite 

 her, as I do her husband also, to the hospitality of our 

 house. Your chamber is ready, and we shall make the 

 best use of our time in being together; we will, if you 

 please, banish all reserve, and be acquainted at once." They 

 took us at our word, and we were soon at my door, where 

 Mrs. Lyell met a warm welcome from the ladies. This was 

 Tuesday evening, and they remained with us until Friday 



